Sometimes known as Dutchman’s trousers or Lady-in-the-Bath, - Dicentra spectabilis or Bleeding Heart, this lovely graceful plant has been grown in English Gardens since the 1800’s.
It is a clump forming, hardy perennial (USDA zones 3-9) and easy to grow.
Bleeding Heart plants grow to 2-21/2 feet or 60-75cm.
The leaves appear in early March and the flowers in May and June. The foliage dies down in the summer.
The attractive mid-green leaves are deeply cut and ferny, above these rise the arching slender stems of flowers.
The heart shaped flowers are strung along the stems, (12 to 16 of them). Each flower has 2 outer deep pink or rosy red petals which surround the narrow inner white petals.
For info on more pink perennials click here.
There is a white form “Alba”, which has white heart shaped petals and softer green leaves and a golden leaf form which needs more shade to protect its golden foliage from the sun.
More information on white perennials for your English Garden is available here.
Cultivation
Bleeding hearts will grow in most soils.They do best in well drained fertile moist soil in a spot that has light shade.
If planted in full sun they will need extra watering and protection from the midday sun.
Propagate by rhizome root division in the autumn or take root cuttings in March.
If left undisturbed a Bleeding Heart plant will continue to grow for many years.
It looks good when planted as part of an English Garden border, or as a specimen group or as under planting for shrubs or fruit trees.
Bleeding Hearts go well with ferns and other shade loving plants.
Try planting it next to bergenias, with Alchemilla molis or Astrantia major – it flourishes in woodland areas.
It is a very attractive graceful plant - do try it and the sprays make lovely cut flower arrangements.
Alternatively you can try potting up the roots in autumn and force them into flower early by keeping them in an unheated greenhouse.
Enjoy your garden!
